It happened on this day in history. On May 8, 1886, Coke was born. Pharmacist John Pemberton sold a carbonated beverage called “Coca-Cola” as a patent medicine.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Today, Coke is sold in over 200 countries. On average, 10,000 Cokes are consumed every second of every day. The name was conjured up by Pemberton’s bookkeeper, Frank Robinson, who was also a writer. He created the logo that is still used today.

The original Coke had cocaine in it – about nine milligrams per glass. Cocaine was removed in 1903. Over 57 billion servings of Coke products are sold each day, making Coke the most widely distributed product on the planet.

There’s more. Only two countries ban Coke: Cuba and North Korea. And Coke products generate over $1 billion in sales each year.

I loved the old ad from the 1970s. “It’s the real thing.” Indeed, there is nothing else like Coke.

The can is an illustration for us. Jesus is “the real thing.” Think of the can like this. The red represents the blood of Jesus. The white represents forgiveness. The can is recyclable, just like us. and when the can is full, it cannot be bent. Similarly, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we do not easily bend.

Coke is “the real thing.” But Jesus is more than “the real thing.” He is the only “real thing” that really matters. Drink up all the Coke you can. But remember there is One who said, “Drink of the water I give you, and you will never thirst again.”